As a certified VA Adaptive Housing contractor we work closely with VA agents to design, bid, and execute the Veterans project.
Specially Adapted Housing Program Overview
The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) program offers grants to service members and Veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities. These adaptive housing grants assist with building, remodeling, or purchasing an adapted home to ensure barrier-free living.
What Is a Specially Adapted Housing Grant?
The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant enables disabled Veterans and service members to enjoy a home that accommodates their needs, such as a wheelchair accessible residence. This can facilitate independent living that might not otherwise be possible.
The current maximum grant amount is $126,526 which must be used for constructing or modifying a home to meet specific adaptive needs. This maximum grant amount adjusts annually, so please visit the website https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp.
Veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities may be eligible for these grants. You must be entitled to disability compensation due to:
- Loss or loss of use of both legs, or the inability to move around without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.
- Blindness in both eyes with 20/200 visual acuity or less in the better eye using a corrective lens.
- Loss or loss of use of one leg, with residuals of organic disease or injury, or loss of one arm affecting balance and ability to move without aid.
- Loss or loss of use of both arms at or above the elbows.
- Severe burn injury.
What Is a Special Housing Adaptation Grant?
The Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant can be used to increase your mobility throughout your residence, including assistance with kitchen and bath remodeling to meet adaptive needs. The current maximum grant amount is $25,350 which also adjusts annually. For more information, visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp.
Veterans and service members with specific service-connected disabilities may qualify for the SHA grant. Eligibility requires that you must be entitled to disability compensation due to one of the following:
- Anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands or arms below the elbow.
- Severe burn injury.
- Certain respiratory or breathing injuries.
If you are eligible for an SAH, SHA, or a Veteran Readiness and Employment Independent Living home adaptation grant, you can utilize funds from your grant up to six different times. Depending on your individual needs, you may use as much or as little of your grant as necessary this year. If you do not exhaust the full grant amount, you can draw from it again in future years.
What Is a Temporary Residence Adaptation Grant?
You can receive a temporary SAH/SHA grant to adapt the home of a family member. The maximum amount available to adapt a family member’s home for the SAH grant is $47,130, whereas for the SHA grant, it is $8,415. Both maximum grant amounts adjust annually; please visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp for updated details.
What Is a Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grant?
A Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant provides assistance for essential home improvements necessary for treatment or disability access, including veterans home modifications. Eligible Veterans and service members can receive a HISA grant alongside either an SAH or SHA grant. This program caters to both Veterans with service-connected disabilities and those with non-service-connected disabilities:
- Service-connected disabilities: home improvement benefits of up to $6,800.
- Non-service-connected disabilities: home improvement benefits of up to $2,000.
Learn more about HISA grants at http://www.prosthetics.va.gov/HISA2.asp. Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) - Housing Adaptation Assistance
VR&E may provide home adaptations to individuals unable to work due to the effects of their service-connected disabilities or who require adaptations to achieve a vocational goal. The benefits are limited to those improvements necessary for increased independence at home and in the community.
Home adaptations of up to $100,909 may be provided as part of an approved rehabilitation plan.
To learn more about VR&E home adaptation grants and apply for VR&E benefits, please visit www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/independent_living.asp.